Reiner and Curtis will play Deschanel's character Jess' divorced parents who come to Thanksgiving dinner and find that their daughter has hatched a plan to get them back together.

The duo will be joined in the holiday episode by Rob Riggle, who has been cast as Schmidt's cousin. "Political Animals" actress Carla Gugino will also join the upcoming season for a three-episode arc as Schmidt's boss.

The role is Curtis' second high-profile TV guest spot of the year. She took a turn on "NCIS" in April as Dr. Samantha Ryan, a love interest for Mark Harmon's Special Agent Gibbs. Reiner, who has spent most of his prolific career behind the camera, most recently appeared on a 2010 episode of "30 Rock."